Method of assembling an automatic sprinkler



A. J. LOEPSINGER 2,085,987

Filed March 27, 1955 2 sheets-sheet '1 7 Y 1310611507 a/bberzrlloe Julyf6, 1937.

METnob OF ASSEMBLING AN AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER w z I. 7

- July 6, 1937. A. J. LOEPSINGER 2,

METHOD OF ASSEMBLING AN AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER I r 2 Sheet s-Sheet 2 Filed March 27, 1955 Patented July 6 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF ASSEIWBLING AN AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER Application March 2'7, 1935, Serial No. 13,192

5 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved method of assembling an automatic sprinkler.

This application is a continuation in part of my pending application, Serial Number 623,746, filed July 21, 1932, Patent 1,996,077, dated April 2, 1935, for Sprinklers.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a method for assembling a sprinkler in such a manner that substantially the maximum load to be carried by the strut can be definitely applied during the assembling and the various parts locked in position while this load is being imposed.

The best mode in which I have contemplated practicing the method herein disclosed is shown in the accompanying drawings but these are merely illustrative. The sprinkler shown to illustrate the application of the improved method is one employing a charged frangible bulb as the heat responsive element but the scope of the invention is not to be limited to this particular form of element. It is intended that the patent shall cover by suitable expression in the appended claims whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.

In the accompanying drawings:

igure 1 is an elevation, partly in medial section, showing parts of the sprinkler assembled together ready for the load to be applied;

Figure 2 is an elevation in section as on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a similar elevation as in section on line 2-2 of Figure 1, but with the load imposed and the locking jaws at the end of their swaging movement;

Figure 4 is a plan, as on line 44 of Figure 2; and a Figure 5 is an elevation of the completely assembled sprinkler, with the upper portion shown in medial section.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the sprinkler body or frame has a nozzle 2 exteriorly threaded for engagement with a supply line carrying fluid under pressure, and a yoke 3 of channel cross section except at the upper portion which is of a wedge cross section to minimize interference with the distribution of said fluid. The waterway 5 converges toward a valve seat 6 which upstands from squared portions 1 on the body adapted to receive a wrench. This waterway is normally closed by a cup-shaped valve 8 which is preferably made of brass and seats on a similarly shaped soft copper washer 9 interposed between the valve and its seat.

Resting on the valve around its upper edge (see Figure 2) is a flat resilient disk l0 having a central opening. Around the edge of this opening rests a small ring spacer ll having a depending annular flange which enters the central opening of the disk It. On the top edge of the ring spacer rests another flat spring disk l2, the outer edge of which is engaged by an internal shoulder of a flanged cap I3. The latter has a skirt l3a which telescopes down and around the edges of the disks and the upper portion of the valve 8. The cap also has a central opening with a shouldered edge in which is provided a' soft copper ring I4. 7

This ring forms the seat for a frangible bulb l5 containing a charge capable when heated to a predetermined temperature of effecting complete destruction of the bulb. The lower tip 15a of the bulb extends through the central openings of the cap and disks, and into the cup of the valve.

The upper end 15b of the bulb rests against another soft copper ring I6 which fits within the bottom recess of a washer 11 which has a tapered recess on its upper surface. This last said recess receives the tapered point of a locking pin 18 which extends through a smooth-walled hole IS in the upper end of the yoke 3.

This pin may be provided with opposed recesses in its sides but preferably is made with an annular groove 18a. The latter is located at a predetermined distance .from the upper end of the pin for a purpose to be presently described. The pin as seen in Figures 1 to 4 is longer than as shown in the completely assembled view of Figure 5, because after the parts are locked to- V gether, as will presently appear, a deflector 20 is slipped down on a short finished hub 3a at the top of the yoke, the pin cut ofi and the said hub spun over the inner edge of the deflector to clamp it securely to the frame.

In assembling the sprinkler the various parts (except the deflector) are arranged as already described and as shown in Figures 1 to 4. The nozzle is then placed on a movable element 2| which may preferably have a stem 2la extending into the waterway. This element is then moved toward a fixed element 22 until the upper end of the locking pin bears thereagainst. The pin, bulb and cap then remain stationary while continued -movement of the lower element 2! forces the frame and valve further upward toward the fixed element 22. This causes the resilient disks I0 and 12 to flex (see Figure 3) the upper disk dishing upward due to the downward pressure exerted at its edge by the cap and the upward pressure imposed centrally upon it by the ring spacer. The lower disk at the same time dishes downward since the pressure upon it is applied downward at or near its center by the ring spacer and upward at its edge by the valve. When a predetermined load has thus been imposed on 5 the strut (the several parts between the valve and the pin) the upward movement of the lower element is arrested, and may be of course, locked in position.

A pair of deforming jaws 23 are then moved inward from the sides toward the upper portion of the yoke. These jaws are located at a distance from the fixed element 22 corresponding with the distance of the annular groove l8a from the end of the pin so that when the pin rests against the fixed element the jaws and groove are in alignment. Pressure is imposed by these jaws upon the sides of the yoke to force its material into the recess of the pin. Preferably the sides of the yoke are milled to provide flat surfaces 3b (see Figure 2) at right angles to the direction of movement of the jaws. The intrusion of the yoke material into the recess of the pin firmly locks these parts together, so that upon withdrawal of the jaws and subsequent lowering of the movable element 2| the parts of the sprinkler remain as seen in Figure 3.

Thus a predetermined load is'imposed on the strut of the sprinkler. This is ordinarily greater than the pressure exerted on the valve by the fluid in the sprinkler system. If-an extraordinary fluid pressure occurs; the disks yield and allow the valve to leak thus preventing overloading of the strut, and especially the frangible bulb.

With the parts assembled as just described, the deflector 2B is placed around the hub 3a of the yoke and the excess upper portion of the pin l8 cut off. This may be done in the same operation and with the same tool that spins the hub of the yoke over onto the inner edge of the deflector to bind it securely to the frame as shown in Figure 5.

I claim:

1. The method of assembling an automatic sprinkler having flexible valve closing means and substantially inflexible load bearing means, which consists in deforming the flexible means by an applied load, while the two means are separate, followed by joining the two means to thereby load in its surface, and flexible valve closing means,

interposed between said pin and said frame, which method consists-in causing relative movement between said frame and pin to impose a load on said pin and said valve closing means without imposing a load on said frame portion, followed by 'swaging the said portion of the frame into the recess of the pin to lock said pin and frame together, and thereby enable the load on said pin to be imposed on said frame.

4. The method of assembling an automatic,

sprinkler having a frame portion with a smoothwalled hole therethrough, flexible valve closing means and a locking pin freely slidable in said hole, being capable when moved relative to said frame of effecting aclosing pressure on said valve closing means, and having a recess in its surface, which method comprises causing relative movement between said frame and pin to establish said closing pressure on the pin and said valve closing means without imposing a load on said frame portion, followed by .swaging the material of said frame portion into the recess of the pin to lock the pin in valve closing position.

5. The method of assembling an automatic sprinkler which consists in providing a frame having a discharge nozzle and a portion with a hole therethrough, a valve to close said nozzle, a pin with'recess in its surface movable in said hole, and flexible valve closing means between the pin and said valve; applying a load on said pin and valve closing means without loading said frame portion, and swaging the material of said portion into the recess of said pin while said load is being applied. ALBERT J. LOEPSINGER. 

